Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

You might notice a small amount of smoke escaping from your tailpipe as you start up your car one morning and start to worry. There's no need. This kind of smoke is normal. It's just water vapor from condensation that has gathered in the exhaust system overnight. But a cloud of smoke billowing from underneath your car's hood as you drive? That's the kind of smoke with cause for concern. Different colors and smells of smoke can help indicate the cause, though it's best to err on the side of caution and take your vehicle to a mechanic if you're concerned. What Do the Different Colors of Smoke Mean? White Smoke: This is usually a signal that coolant is being sprayed onto a hot engine by a blown radiator hose. It's usually accompanied by a strong, sweet smell from the coolant. Black Smoke (with a burning plastic smell): A burning plastic smell accompanying black smoke usually indicates an electrical failure. The sm ... read more